Sustainable Public Procurement in Japanese Local Governments: A Multicity and U.S. Cross-comparative Analysis

Within Japan and the U.S., many cities have struggled to implement their sustainable procurement policies. This project examines the factors facilitate/inhibit Japan’s (as compared to the U.S.’) local level SPP implementation, and the potential SPPs have for facilitating a low greenhouse gas economy. It recommends immediate actions for local Japanese and U.S. governments to improve SPP implementation, and offer critical policy advice on the ideal institutional arrangements for SPP success.

Objectives

Objectives - My objectives are fourfold:
1. Develop insights about the factors facilitate/inhibit Japan’s (as compared to the U.S.’) local level SPP implementation, and the potential SPPs have for facilitating a low GHG economy;
2. Recommend immediate actions for local Japanese and U.S. governments to improve SPP implementation, and offer critical policy advice on the ideal institutional arrangements for SPP success;
3. Create avenues for Waseda University faculty and I to pursue high impact use-inspired research (a primary focus of my university), and strengthen collaborative ties with researchers at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, by undertaking a research project that draws on field-specific knowledge and deepens our understanding SPPs across different institutional and cultural settings.
4. Undertake policy-relevant research that addresses important sustainability concerns.

Activities

A survey was developed and pilot tested in the U.S. in fall 2016. After some revision, the survey was disseminated to directors of finance, public works, and environmental departments in all U.S. cities with 50,000 residents or more. Data collection for the U.S. portion of our survey completed in April 2017. The survey is now being translated for pilot test and dissemination to directors in Japanese cities with 50,000 residents or more. Data collection in Japan will commence in fall 2017.

Impact and Results

Benefits to Practice - This project will lead to recommendations for immediate actions that local governments can undertake to facilitate their SPP implantation. These recommendations will be compiled in a user-friendly guidance report (in both English and translated into Japanese) on SPP best practices to be distributed online to local government managers, procurement officers, sustainability officers, and professional networks.

Scholarly Benefits – this research study will offer insights about which factors facilitate/inhibit local SPP implementation in Japan (as compared to the U.S.), and SPPs’ potential to facilitate a low GHG economy. Project results will be developed into a series of scholarly papers. The findings will be relevant to researchers in several disciplines, including public administration, public policy, management, and environmental sciences/management.